MLB Trade Rumors: White Sox's Dylan Cease 'Still Likely' to Be Dealt This Offseason

Teams in need of some starting pitching this winter could potentially turn to Chicago White Sox star Dylan Cease.

Cease has been included in a number of trade rumors since the end of the 2023 campaign and the White Sox are "still likely" to move him this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeff Pasan.

After finishing the 2023 campaign with a 61-101 record and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the White Sox cleaned house, firing executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn ahead of a major rebuild.

Moving Cease, one of the club's best pitchers, has been expected as the return in a package for the veteran could accelerate the rebuild. However, it's not just Cease that's on the chopping block.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz told reporters in November that the team was open and willing to listen to offers for any player.

"I've made it very clear that the White Sox are willing to listen in on any of our players," Getz said at the time.

Cease has two more years of arbitration eligibility before hitting the open market in 2026. His estimated salary for the 2024 season is $8.3 million, according to Spotrac.

The 28-year-old had a down year by his standards last season, though he was still an effective starter. He went 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 214 strikeouts in 177 innings across 33 starts.

Cease's best season in Chicago came in 2022 when he went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 227 strikeouts in 184 innings across 32 starts.

The Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers have been mentioned as potential destinations for Cease.

However, the Braves might be ruled out of the sweepstakes after acquiring Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox. The Reds might also be ruled out after president of baseball operations Nick Krall told reporters this week that he doesn't see "any major moves" on the way entering spring training.